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Question of the Day...
- Thread starter larussa
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Mine generally stays on until a) the power goes out or b) I have to clean/fix/replace something inside it. Many years ago when I was still using windows I had downloaded a 30 day trial software and had left my computer on for right around 3 and a half months. The software didn't lock me out until after I rebooted.
I used to leave mine on all the time until friends came to visit (my puter is in the spare bedroom) and they swore the computer was possesed. The monitor would go into sleep mode, but the slightest vibration (ie, cat jumping off the china closet) would turn on the monitor. Plus, I started getting worried about having internet all the time, instead of dial up, so I try to remember to turn it off at night. Don't always remember though....
A friend of mine told me it actually takes more energy to start a computer than leaving it run...is that true?
A friend of mine told me it actually takes more energy to start a computer than leaving it run...is that true?
Same here.
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No. However, when you first start a computer back up it pulls more power for that first 30sec-2mins than it usually pulls for just normal use (unless it's under a heavy workload). How much power your pc uses depends on what you're running - a 5400rpm ("green") hard drive will pull less power than a 7200 or 10000rpm one will. Lower end graphics cards will require less power than one made for gaming - and so on. If you have a desktop, turn your monitor, printer, and speakers off at night. Don't use 3d screen savers. Make sure your set up your power settings properly.
There are some heat and power cycling issues from frequent rebooting. It was rougher on older PCs than newer ones, though.
It's completely safe to leave your pc on at night. In fact it's a great time to set your antivirus and windows updates to download (cable will be faster at those times and the pc isn't being used). It's the user that causes pc problems - You're going to get a virus when you do something wrong. If it's doing anything at night then it's already infected by something you've done.
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I used to leave on 24 /7 nearly .. then I went to shut down at night ( nothing else changed this saved 3-4$ a month on the power bill) .... then I started shutting it down anytime I would not be back on within an hour ( ave 7$ a month saved).. so 7 $ a month on budget = a lunch out so I do it
I normally turn mine off.
I turn mine off at night and when I leave the house.
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This isn't 100% exact but is a good average. It gives you the math needed to figure out your exacts if you wish to. According to that site a pc in sleep mode for 14 hours a day uses .52 cents a month. When you leave it on for around 10 hours a day it costs closer to $6 a month. Most new electronics are made so that they do not use that much electricity. So you'd be saving around a dollar a month if you just turn your pc off a night.
Older AC units and furnaces (most people don't replace either until the old ones break) are going to be a lot less energy efficient - as would not having a programmable thermostat.
Older AC units and furnaces (most people don't replace either until the old ones break) are going to be a lot less energy efficient - as would not having a programmable thermostat.
I do but that's because I have a lap top. If I still had my PC running it would probably be left on.
I turn it off when I am done, unless it is downloading something then I will leave it on for as long as it takes to come through.
